2026 Best Dance Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College Of California is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in dance. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Moraga. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 dance students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from Saint Marys College Of California earn around $70,806 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,041. Get the full dance details for Saint Marys College Of California

2

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best dance schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 dance students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $45,488 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,501 to complete this degree. Get the full dance details for University Of California Santa Barbara

3

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for dance. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 22 dance degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Dance graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $25,653 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,875. Read more about the dance program at University Of Southern California

4

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dance, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 14 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Read more about the dance program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

5

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dance, landing the #5 spot this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. About 82% of students finish within six years. Chapman University awarded about 35 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $21,275. Typical student debt for the program is $23,624. More information about a degree in dance from Chapman University

6

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #6 position for dance this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 dance degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Graduates of the dance program make about $28,112 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,080 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dance from University Of California Irvine

7

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #7 position for dance this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 18 dance degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Students who receive their dance degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $19,787 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,309. Get the full dance details for University Of California Los Angeles

8

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best dance schools. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 11 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $19,107 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Get the full dance details for Loyola Marymount University

9

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #9 for dance this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 16 dance degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Dance graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $24,087 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the dance program at California State University Fullerton

10

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #10 position for dance this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 36 dance degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Dance graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $30,686 early in their careers. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full dance program report for California State University Long Beach

11

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #11 spot for dance this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. About 76% of students finish within six years. University Of California Riverside awarded about 19 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,040 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,187. More information about a degree in dance from University Of California Riverside

12

California Institute Of The Arts
Valencia, CA

California Institute Of The Arts came in at #12 for dance this year. California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 dance students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from California Institute Of The Arts earn around $22,475 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,031 to complete this degree. See the full dance program report for California Institute Of The Arts

13

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #13 spot for dance this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 dance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Las Vegas in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $20,417 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,652. More information about a degree in dance from University Of Nevada Las Vegas

14

Cornish College Of The Arts
Seattle, WA

Cornish College Of The Arts ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best dance schools. Set in the city of Seattle, Cornish College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cornish College Of The Arts awarded about 12 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Cornish College Of The Arts generally make around $27,255. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dance from Cornish College Of The Arts